For the Record: Central Virginia, July 2010

Bank of America, a Charlotte, N.C.-based financial services provider, will lay off 135 employees from its credit card collections operation in Richmond at the end of August. The bank is consolidating those functions at other locations. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

The Caroline County Board of Supervisors has approved a rezoning request for the proposed Carmel Church Station, a 1,059-acre residential and commercial development off Interstate 95. The project, which could take 18 to 25 years to develop, would include 8,659 residential units. The supervisors also agreed to provide up to $460,000 in incentives and infrastructure improvements for a 340,000-square-foot McKesson Corp. pharmaceutical distribution center. The $50 million facility would create 150 to 190 jobs. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Markel Corp. is acquiring a stake in the group that rescued the West Broad Village development in the Short Pump area of western Henrico County. The specialty insurance company is acquiring 50 percent of E/Class Advisors, which will change its name to Markel/Eagle Asset Management LLC. It manages the investment fund that owns West Broad Village, a $300 million mixed-use commercial and residential development, among other properties. In addition, Markel will invest in E/Class MB Partners Fund 1, an investment fund that invests in Virginia properties. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., an Ohio provider of insurance services, hired about 90 employees at its customer service and claims centers in Lynchburg this year and will hire about 30 more. The hires are part of a move to add 1,400 employees across the country. (The News & Advance)

Sabra Dipping Co. officially has opened a, 110,000-sqaure-foot factory in southern Chesterfield County. Sabra, which produces America’s No. 1 selling hummus, is moving its operations from New York. The Chesterfield plant employs 120 workers. That number is expected to grow to 265 or 300 workers by the end of the year. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

Thalhimer/Cushman & Wakefield, a Richmond commercial real estate firm, will move its corporate headquarters to the former headquarters for S&K Famous Brands Inc. in Western Henrico County. The site is being completely renovated, giving Thalhimer the opportunity to bring all of its operating groups under one roof. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)